The sunscreen market is flush with products. From mineral sunscreen to chemical sunscreen, there are plenty of options to choose from. However, not all sunscreens are created equal. Some sunscreens have ingredients that are human and environmental toxins.
Arielle Moody is one of the co-founders of Mama Sol, a skincare brand that makes sunscreens without toxic ingredients. She and her co-founders sought a safe solution that would benefit humans and the planet. This passion led to the development of 100% Mineral Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 30.
I tried this product recently, because I was looking for an effective mineral sunscreen that didn’t leave my skin dry and flaky after use. I loved that Mama Sol’s sunscreen had a smooth application and kept my skin hydrated. It also kept my skin safe from sunburn after five hours outdoors, which is no easy feat during the summer months.
As a clean beauty enthusiast who loves a safe, effective sunscreen, I wanted to learn more about Mama Sol’s brand and mission. Arielle gave me some insight into Mama’s Sol’s origins and plans for the future.
What inspired you to create Mama Sol?
I have worked in the beauty industry for 15 years. When I was pregnant with my first son about 6 years ago, I started researching all the ingredients to avoid when pregnant. The one that stood out to me the most was oxybenzone, which was found in about 90% of sunscreens at the time. Studies found that the chemical screen oxybenzone is a potential hormone disruptor and was showing up in breast milk. Reading that really scared me and compelled me to make something not only better but truly good for you too.
How did you choose the name Mama Sol?
Our tagline is “For all mamas, Mother Earth included.” At Mama Sol, all mamas mean cat mamas, dog mamas, plant mamas, sometimes you call your friend “mama.” Mama Sol is and will continue to be the go-to destination (for all genders) to buy multitasking safe for you and the planet sun (Sol) care. After all, Mama knows best!
As a female-owned company, can you give us some insight about your day-to-day operations?
We are a lean team with three founders, all moms. As the CEO, I am in charge of all product development, packaging, networking and collaborating with brands that share our same core values. Tahlia Disisto is our brilliant COO and has built our entire tech stack while running the day-to-day operations, such as meeting with our logistics, social and digital teams on a weekly basis. Our third founder is my mother, Dr. Sheri Rowen, world-renowned eye and laser cosmetic surgeon, who is our lead strategic advisor.
What trends helped you develop Mama Sol?
The clean beauty movement, which started about 10 years ago, really paved the way for me and other founders alike who aspired to create clean and sustainable brands.
Did you know early in the development process that Mama Sol would be a vegan, cruelty-free company?
Absolutely! I am a huge animal lover and have spent many years volunteering at local animal shelters. My dream is to one day have a sanctuary for abused or neglected animals.
Can you describe the selection process for choosing Mama Sol’s ingredients?
The main ingredient in our formula is non-nano zinc-oxide, which is the safest ingredient to use to protect the skin from UV rays. Mama Sol’s formula is packed with powerful antioxidants, fatty acids and botanical extracts such as Kakadu plum, Green Tea, Arnica Montana Flower, Hyaluronic Acid and Squalene (just to name a few), that help smooth the look of fine lines and wrinkles, brighten skin that needs a boost and nourishes, softens and conditions the look of skin.
How important is ingredient transparency in the skincare industry?
Extremely, which is why we devoted an entire page on our website outlining every single ingredient and its function. We are not hiding anything and we are proud to educate our customers [about] every ingredient that makes our formula unique.
How does Mama Sol approach sustainability?
Mama Sol is packaged in a sleek glass bottle that is infinitely recyclable and reduces our plastic footprint. Our unit carton is made of sustainably sourced FSC paper and our ingredients are vegan, cruelty-free, non-GMO and non-toxic to our bodies and planet. One very important decision that we made was to be silicone-free. It is extremely difficult and rare to create mineral sunscreens without the use of silicones as they help suspend the zinc and prevent separation. Plus, they clog the pores and are not biodegradable, which is not sustainable for our environment.
Are there any product innovations your team is working on that we can look forward to?
Yes, we are currently developing two new sun care products designed for the body and lips.
What are the benefits of using mineral sunscreen instead of chemical sunscreen?
Unlike chemical sunscreens, which absorb into the skin, mineral sunscreens lay on the surface providing instant protection. Because mineral sunscreen provides a physical barrier to the sun’s rays, some dermatologists consider mineral [sunscreens] to be more effective than chemical sunscreens. In addition, chemical sunscreens trap UV rays and turn them into heat, whereas zinc oxide keeps the skin cool and allows it to breathe. Zinc Oxide is also viewed as the better choice for people with sensitivities or acne-prone skin. Studies show that chemical screens, such as oxybenzone, are contributing to the destruction of our coral reefs and are banned for use in many states and countries around the world.
Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about Mama Sol?
We are starting a sun care movement – Mama Sol multitasks so you don’t have to! It’s a 3-in-1 100% mineral sunscreen: it’s your SPF 30, your daily moisturizer and your skin smoothing makeup primer. [The sunscreen] goes on white so you can see where you have applied it. With the warmth of your fingertips, [it] blends into skin in seconds. It’s infused with a subtle hint of lavender essential oil and zero “sunscreen smell”. Our formula was developed to encourage our community to take a moment for themselves and really enjoy applying sunscreen. We want you to touch and connect with your skin, and breathe deep. In addition, our formula was tested on 104 people, 56% who have sensitive skin, and had zero skin reactions. If you have rosacea, eczema, or any skin sensitivities, this is the formula for you!
Shop Mama Sol’s 100% Mineral Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 30 at the brand’s website.
